Public Health recognizes Kaiser for vaccine clinics

The Clark County Immunization Coalition recognized Kaiser Permanente this month for outstanding community work for its pertussis vaccination clinics.

This year, Clark County had its worst whooping cough outbreak in 70 years. Clark County Public Health officials turned to community partners to meet the growing need for pertussis vaccines.

Kaiser opened its clinic doors and offered free Tdap/DTap vaccinations to the public in June and September. Kaiser also partnered with the county to produce and distribute educational materials urging citizens to get vaccinated.

Those efforts were recognized by the county on Dec. 5.

More than 4,500 people across the state contracted whooping cough this year. In Clark County, more than 300 people have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness.